July 23, 2008 by Rob.

The National EV Auto Association’s CurrentEVents for July 2008 (not online yet) is bursting with news about potential EVs from major and minor auto manufacturers.  Here are a sample of the headlines (sorry, no time for links):

• Toyota Dealers not waiting on Toyota for Plug-ins - they are signing up with Hymotion to do conversions
• GM talks to buy Battery Maker Cobasys
• Miles moving ahead with Full Function EV (editor’s note: reportedly using EESTOR caps)
• Th!nk to Produce, Sell Small Electric Cars in US
• Volvo’s Recharge - a series hybrid like the Volt, but with wheel motors
• Gumpert Apollo Geneva (hybrid supercar below)
• Caterpillar creates a AC electric hybrid tractor drive
• VW & SAnyo form a partnership for Li batteries
• Tesla test drive report
• Myers Motors launches Li option (editor’s note: the single person NMG)
• Mitsubishi to provide EVs to Japanese Post Office
• Mitsubishi may introduce plug-in hybrid

(source Carblog)

Posted in ICE Cars, Electric Vehicles, EV News, EV Tech | 1 Comment »

July 23, 2008 by Rob.

This was reposted from IHT by the Crude Awakening group.

In reversal, Ford veers from SUV’s  (Bill Vlasic, July 22, 2008)

DEARBORN, Michigan: Ford Motor, which devoted itself for nearly 20 years to putting millions of Americans into big pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles, is about to drastically alter its focus to building more small cars.

The struggling automaker, reacting to what it sees as a rapid and permanent shift in consumer tastes brought on by high gas prices, plans to unveil its new direction on Thursday, when it will report quarterly earnings.

Among the changes, Ford is expected to announce that it will convert three of its North American assembly plants from trucks to cars, according to people familiar with the plans.

Posted in ICE Cars, EV News | 1 Comment »

July 23, 2008 by Rob.

I drove 20 miles yesterday!  That was awesome until I went to recharge at 9 PM and the pack was still too hot.  I went back inside and enjoyed Batman Begins (can’t see #2 without seeing #1) until the wee hours.  Distracted by considering Gordan’s hero/villain escalation fear and ear worming Dr. Horrible songs, I forgot to plug in.

I remembered at 5:30 AM, but even at 220 VAC there was not enough time for the charger to get out of the “deep charge” cycle (EV geeks see note) at my regularly scheduled departure.  I will repeat my frequent wish that my charger could monitor the temperature and wait instead of giving up.  In my fantasy EV, the charger integrates with the utility grid and monitor both the batteries AND my $ rate.

(image source: Power Supplies Online)

Note:  Battery chargers have 3 charge phases.  1) rapid charge where the max current is delivered and 80% of the capacity reached, 2) topping charge to get the last 20% of the charger, and 3) trickle charge that maintains the voltage over time.  My charger is 3-4 hours for phase 1 if I’m fully depleted.

Posted in Daily Use, Storyline | 1 Comment »